Another Father's Advice
Chapter 17
Off the Coast of Mexico
The James had sunk, and Mike and the rest of the surviving crew were on the Michener. There was a solemn mood all around and more so where the senior officers were concerned. Sailors were still fighting for their lives. Mike was standing on the deck looking out at the ocean, knowing his career had ended. Not because of the James sinking but because he needed to go home and stay home. He had had enough. He didn't hear Kara come up behind him until she touched his elbow, but the look on her face was devastating.
"Sir…I made a call home to check on Frankie and…there was an issue at your house. Apparently, Madeline's mother hired someone to kill her and take the kids and…" Kara started.
"What?" Mike said. Tom had also walked up next to them and had his hand on Mike's arm.
"Mike, Madeline was beat up pretty badly and stabbed twice. She has broken ribs, some internal injuries, busted ear drum, concussion, broken wrist. The stab wounds were to her abdomen but she's already home. Joey was also injured but not severely. Fractured wrist and black eye." Tom explained.
"Sir, that isn't all. Madeline…was three weeks along. She lost the baby." Kara finished. Mike turned away from both of them and faced the rails. He didn't know what to say. Kara walked away but Tom stayed there.
"Mike, Hannah and Elizabeth are both alright. Joey heard the commotion and came downstairs with his ball bat. He hit the attacker in the knees and knocked him to the ground, and then hit him in the head and knocked him out. Hannah hit the alarm and got the process started to get a police response and then run to the neighbor's and got them over there. The neighbor held the attacker at gunpoint until the police got there. When the police got there, they encountered Anna and figured out what was going on. Anna and the attacker are in custody and Hannah has given a statement about how she ended up sold to Anna and what happened to her. James and Darcy got in from Georgia and are with Madeline and the kids and the neighbors are helping." Tom explained.
"I see." Mike said simply.
"I have spoken with the President. He is sending a helicopter to pick you up and take you home. Here are my truck keys. Take it and get home." Tom said as he handed him the keys. He walked away too, leaving Mike alone.
Mike had failed again, failed to protect his family. Hannah was traumatized again. She had to relive all the crap that had happened to her. Joey and Madeline had both been injured. Her, more severely. And he wasn't sure what to even think about the miscarriage. They had spoken about another baby but were going to wait. Mike knew that the baby was an accident but also knew that Madeline would be crushed. He had no doubt that if the baby had been born, they would have both adored him or her. He was also hurting because of the miscarriage but his concern was more with Madeline. Because of him not being there, not stopping Anna; Madeline was going through hell and their child would never be born. It was unforgivable.
At Home
Madeline had seen on the news that the Nathan James had sunk and was immediately worried about Mike and the rest of the crew. The kids had kept her company in her bedroom. The only time Hannah wasn't there was when she was downstairs with her tutor. Joey rarely left her side and James had moved Elizabeth's crib into the bedroom so that Madeline could have her close. The kids ate with her, slept with her, watched TV with her and even helped her work off her laptop since she had to type one-handed.
James, Darcy, Mark and Ellie had been godsends. When Madeline and Mike bought the house, they barely had noticed that there was a guesthouse. Madeline had put her old bedroom furniture in there and then shut the door, but James and Darcy had taken up residence in the guesthouse, making it their own. Mark and Ellie also helped, dealing with the police and insurance companies. Mark had stayed with Hannah when she gave her statement to the police and told Madeline that Hannah was a very brave young girl.
Madeline was worried about what would happen when Mike got home. She was sure that word would have gotten back to him because Debbie had been by, checking on her. Mike had not called which was not a good sign. She had no idea what would happen when he got home but wouldn't be shocked if he asked for a divorce.
It had been a full week since her attack and Hannah and Joey were downstairs eating breakfast. Darcy had also taken Elizabeth down with her. Madeline leaned against her pillow and closed her eyes, trying to figure out what she would do next, without Mike or Hannah. She had only known him for less then six weeks and he had come into her life like a hurricane. She didn't want that hurricane to go away. And Joey and Elizabeth loved Mike. Joey would be lost without him and Hannah.
About eleven, she heard some talking downstairs and carefully got out of bed. She made way for the stairs, but Mike met her at the bedroom door. She was shocked when Mike pulled her into a gentle hug. It was not the reaction she had figured he would have.
"I'm so sorry, Mike. I didn't keep the kids safe and I…lost our baby." Madeline cried into his chest.
"Ssh…its not your fault. I'm the one that's sorry." Mike told her. He pulled back and gave her a good look. She knew she looked rough and he was less then impressed.
"Sorry about how I look." Madeline said. She reached up and stroked Mike's cheek; hoping he would react somehow. He was scaring her, and she was getting increasingly dizzy. She had to grab onto his arm to keep herself from losing balance. "I get dizzy easy. The concussion and busted ear drum has screwed with my balance. I'm sorry." Madeline said as she let loose of Mike's arm and grabbed ahold of the door frame instead.
"Its okay. Let's get you back in bed." Mike told her and guided her towards their bed. He helped her lay back down and then sat down next to her. He had leaned back on the pillow and wrapped an arm around her and pulled her onto his chest. They didn't talk for a long time. Just cuddled. Finally, Madeline broke down. The emotions from the past week had finally caught up with her.
"I just don't understand how a mother could do this. She hated me so badly, she wanted me dead. I don't want to be like that with my kids." Madeline said between sobs. Mike kissed her temple and just held her close.
"You are not your mother. You couldn't be if you tried. You are kind, generous, loving, and accepting. The kids adore you and I love you. That is all you need to think about. Yes, losing the baby hurts but I don't blame you for it. I blame your mom and that attacker. Seeing you this hurt, seeing Joey…I hate it. I should have been home. I am not going anywhere, and your mom cannot scare me away." Mike answered and kissed Madeline on the top of the head. He heard the doorbell ring, but he wanted to concentrate on Madeline, until Hannah knocked on the door and stuck her head in.
"I hate to bother you, but Detective Richardson and her partner is here and is asking to talk to you, Mom." Hannah said with a smile and Hannah gestured for the two detectives to come in. Hannah had spent a great deal of time with them and was completely comfortable. Mike was just shocked when he heard her call Madeline Mom. It surprised him but in the best possible way.
"Please…uh…there's a chair there, Hannah, could you get the second chair from your room, please?" Madeline asked, drying her tears and sitting up. Hannah stepped out to get the chair and was quickly back with it.
"Mike, this is Detective Richardson and…Allen? I'm sorry, I am a bit foggy. Detectives, this is my husband Mike." Madeline made the introductions after both detectives were settled and Hannah had walked back out.
"Yes, Detective Allen and that is quite alright, Ma'am." The male detective told them. Mike shook both hands and the conversation began.
"It seems that your mother was involved in several illegal activities, including the child slavery ring. And…I understand your husband died in a car accident involving a drunk driver? How did you find out about that drunk driver?" Detective Richardson asked, clearing addressing Madeline.
"The police told me he'd be in a wreck and died. My mom's lawyer checked into it and said that the other driver had a blood alcohol level of .260. I never actually got confirmation from the police on that though. I was grieving; had a five-year-old and was only about two months along with Pete and I's daughter. All that matter was the fact that my husband had died and my kids. Why?" Madeline asked.
"We…choose to look into that accident a bit further. Your husband was not killed by a drunk driver; he was ran off the road by the same man that attacked you, a hired hitman of sorts." Detective Richardson told Madeline quietly. Mike could feel the tension coming of Madeline and he pulled her close again.
"And Anna hired him to kill Pete?" Mike asked.
"That is correct. Hannah mentioned that you were a detective at one point?" Detective Allen asked.
"Uh…yes. Chicago. Homicide on the south side. Is Anna giving any sort of statement?" Mike asked.
"I just want to know why. Why she wanted to destroy her own daughter's life?" Madeline asked.
"She hasn't given any sort of statement at all. The hitman has turned on her but as for why, we don't know." Detective Richardson explained.
"Can I try to talk to her? I promise, I won't lay a hand on her and one of you or both of you can be there." Mike asked.
"Let me call our sergeant." Detective Allen said as he stood up and walked out of the bedroom.
"You okay with that?" Mike asked Madeline.
"Yes, I want to know." Madeline told him. Detective Allen walked back in and nodded at Mike.
"Can you meet us at the jail?" Detective Allen asked.
"Absolutely. Let me change clothes and I'll be there." Mike said, and both detectives stepped out. Madeline had her knees drawn up to her chest and was staring into space as Mike changed.
"When you go downstairs, can you send the kids up? I really want my kids close." Madeline asked.
"Absolutely. You okay? I hate leaving you so soon." Mike asked.
"I'll be alright. Long as you come home, and I have the kids close." Madeline assured him. He bent down and kissed her on the lips and rubbed her on the shoulder.
"That's a promise. I love you." Mike told her.
"I love you too." Madeline responded. Mike went downstairs, spoke with Darcy for a moment, and then sent the kids upstairs to Madeline. He had instantly liked James and Darcy and how protective they were of Madeline. He'd already asked them to stay on, for at least a couple weeks. Madeline needed them.
He drove to the jail and was immediately buzzed in and Detective Allen led him to an interrogation room. They made conversation until Detective Richardson led Anna Harris in. Anna was wearing hand cuffs and leg shackles. She also had on an orange jail uniform. Not seeing her in a designer outfit was satisfying to Mike.
"Why the hell are you here?" Anna asked. Mike and Detective Allen had sat down on one side of the table while Detective Richardson had sat Anna down and stood in the corner of the room.
"I am here for no other reason then to ask why." Mike told her. He kept his voice low and hands in his lap. He knew the conversation was being recorded.
"Why what?" Anna asked.
"Why did you hire someone to kill your own daughter? Your son-in-law?" Mike asked.
"Everyone thinks Madeline is so perfect. How long have you known her? Six weeks? And you've already married her and adopted those brats. Doesn't that seem suspicious? And you've moved her into that huge house. Everyone knows who you are, and Madeline gets off on power. You have a lot of it." Anna said, and Detective Allen coughed into his hand.
"That is still not a good enough reason to have your own daughter murdered." Detective Allen stated.
"That's what you think." Anna said with a sneer, she clearly disliked both detectives.
"I really don't care what you think of Madeline. She has plenty of people who love her and quite frankly, she doesn't need you. I was a detective before I joined the Navy, so I tend to be a pretty good judge of character. Yes, we married just weeks after meeting and I don't regret that. You have done everything in the book to railroad and destroy your daughter. Do you realize because of the attack on her, Madeline lost a baby? Joey's arm got broken?" Mike asked.
"So?" Anna asked.
"Look, I get that you hate your daughter. I don't understand it, but I have accepted it and so has she, she only wants to know why? To me, it sounds like you are jealous. Madeline is an incredible person. Everyone who knows her, loves her. Something in your life hasn't worked for you and you're miserable. Rather than being happy that your daughter has attained something you haven't, you make it a personal mission to make her miserable. You had her first husband killed, you had her attacked and almost killed, your grandson was injured and because of you; Madeline suffered a miscarriage. She is in misery, but she will get through this. Maybe its because you're jealous or because Madeline didn't need you to be happy; I don't know. What I do know is, she will be happy again. She doesn't need your money for that. She never did. All that she ever needed was happiness. I'm done here." Mike said as he stood up. He could tell Anna was outraged because she wasn't in control. He didn't care.
"Thank you, Admiral." Detective Allen said as they walked out of the room. "You didn't really get your answer though?" Detective Allen remarked.
"I did. She's jealous and that is what I will tell Madeline. Is Hannah going to have to testify?" Mike asked.
"Anna has murder, embezzlement, child trafficking and numerous other charges. Its unknown but that girl is tough enough, she can handle it. I wish you had seen her giving her statement. And she did it voluntarily." Detective Allen added. Mike watched Detective Richardson escorting Anna back into the jail and smiled. It was satisfying.
"That's my girl." Mike said with a smile.
"Madeline did mention that you were retiring, you know; we need detectives?" Detective Allen said.
"I haven't really thought about what I'm doing next. I really want to concentrate on my family." Mike explained.
"Right. Well, my sergeant told me to give you his card, depending on how this went. Did you keep your credentials up?" Detective Allen asked.
"Up until the Red Flu, yes. The last six years, I've been a bit busy." Mike admitted.
"Right, saving the world. The sergeant said we might be able to get you through pretty easily if you are thinking of a change of career?" Detective Allen asked.
"Let me talk to my wife and get her healed up a bit. She's in pretty rough shape and I don't want her to immediately start worrying about me. It will be a family decision and not necessarily a financial need." Mike explained as he took the sergeant's card.
"Sounds good. You would be an asset." Detective Allen stated.
"I am rusty at being a cop and I am not so young anymore." Mike stated. In all honesty, he was in much better shape then what he had been as a cop. Working out was how he passed the long hours when he was off-duty and he had set up a personal gym in the garage at the new house before he left. He was going to use it.
"They say its like riding a bike and I don't think you'll be on patrol." Detective Allen stated.
"Hey, I liked being a patrol cop. And I loved being a detective." Mike said as they walked to Mike's truck.
"All the more reason to consider it." Detective Allen said as Mike climbed into the truck.
"Yeah." Mike agreed. He started the truck and headed towards his house, thinking about what Detective Allen had said. He had missed being a cop, but he truly wanted to concentrate on his family for a while. Madeline was a mess and needed her husband at home. They could be a normal couple for a while, he could get to know Hannah again and bond more with Joey and Elizabeth.
He pulled into his house and immediately headed upstairs. Madeline and the kids were watching something on her laptop and Hannah was holding Elizabeth. Mike kicked his shoes off and changed into more casual clothes in the walk-in closet. He jumped in next to Hannah and put his arms around her and Madeline. Mike gave Hannah, Elizabeth and Madeline kisses and winked at Joey.
They spent the afternoon watching kid's movies on the laptop, sleeping in each other's arms and visiting. For Mike, it was perfect. At some point, Hannah had gotten up and moved to Joey's side, letting Mike in next to Madeline. The kids were sound asleep, and Madeline had her head laying on his chest.
"Did she tell you much?" Madeline asked.
"Not a lot. I personally think she's jealous. You are the woman, wife and mother she never was. You are incredible. Now, I need you to do something for me, stop thinking about her. This will all come up in trial but until then, you need to not fixate on that. Fixate on me and the kids but not your mom. When you get to feeling better and get healed up, we can start trying for another baby, if you want. It may not take a lot since we didn't seem to have any trouble, but we could at least have some fun with it. Sound okay?" Mike asked.
"Yeah, that does sound good. I am just tired of dealing with my mom. I want to concentrate on us." Madeline said just before she kissed him. The only interruption was Elizabeth slapping at their faces. It made them both laugh, and Elizabeth cuddled close in Mike's arms.